Liverpool: LFC Bid £24.5m For Alex Teixeira

Liverpool have made a big-money move for Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian attacker Alex Teixeira...

Reputable sources, including the Liverpool ECHO, BBC and Guardian, claim Liverpool are in negotiations with Shakhtar Donetsk over versatile forward Alex Teixeira.

The Reds are reported to have tabled an offer of around £24.5million for the 26-year-old with discussions between Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre and representatives of Shakhtar ongoing in Florida, where the Ukrainian club are currently based for a winter training camp.

At present the two sides are thought to be some distance apart from agreeing a deal with Shakhtar looking for in excess of the club record £35million Liverpool paid for Andy Carroll in 2011.

Teixeira, who surprisingly remains uncapped by Brazil at senior level, has netted a phenomenal 22 times in 15 league games so far this season.

In total, since moving from Vasco de Gama for €6million in 2009, the Shakhtar vice-captain has scored 89 goals in 222 appearances.

Prospective new employers were put on red alert last week when Teixeira admitted his lack of international recognition was a source of much frustration.

"Shakhtar Donetsk are not very big in Brazil," he remarked to Brazilian newspaper O Globo. "And I think I may need to move on to stand out and earn a place in the squad. That's my goal for 2016."

Scoring goals has been a massive Achilles heel for Liverpool this season with only 25 notched in 22 Premier League fixtures.

Part of the problem has been injury related with Danny Ings out for the season, Divock Origi currently sidelined after undergoing knee surgery and Daniel Sturridge continuing to battle ongoing muscle issues.

Summer acquisition Christian Benteke has also struggled for form and fitness, leaving manager Jürgen Klopp to regularly field attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino as the focal point to his attack.

Should a deal for Teixeira materialise, he will become the fifth Brazilian on Liverpool's books, alongside Firmino, Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Leiva and teenager Allan Rodrigues de Souza.

Vital CommentVery exciting news, especially as noteworthy additions were thought unlikely during January as Klopp continues to acquaint himself with the players he inherited from Brendan Rodgers in October. Supporters should temper expectations for now though given the difference in valuations and the fact that a host of other top clubs will no doubt hold an interest in one of the best players around who's not already plying his trade in a major European league. In particular, expect Chelsea to reignite their long-standing interest, especially if rumours of Pedro returning to Spain prove to be true. For Liverpool, if a deal is struck, question marks will be placed against the futures of a number of the existing personnel.

Likelihood (out of 5):

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It does seem we will need to raise our offer significantly to get Teixeira. I'd also be surprised if Chelsea, or someone else, doesn't make a rival offer... Be lucky to get £25m for Benteke I reckon - he'd be perfect for Chelsea and the way they play.